Why Political Liberalism?
On John Rawls's Political Turn
Paul Weithman
Reviews and Awards
Winner of the 2012 David and Elaine Spitz Prize
"Unfortunately for the Rawls weary, Weithman's, Why Political Liberalism? On John Rawls's Political Turn, is excellent. It both justifies the current focus on Rawls (especially his later work) and manages to push Rawls scholarship in new and innovative directions." --Kevin Vallier, Journal of Moral Philosophy
"Why Political Liberalism? offers an extraordinarily close and perceptive reading of Rawls, one strikingly different from those currently on offer."--Terence Cuneo, Faith and Philosophy
"Paul Weithman has written an original, important, and enlightening study of Rawl's 'political turn'." --Ethics
"Why Political Liberalism? is a wonderful book, one that is required reading for anyone with an interest in Rawls's political philosophy."--Notre Dame Philosophical Review
"Paul Weithman has written what is undoubtedly the most patient, probing, and imaginative study we have of John Rawls' 'political liberalism'. Explaining the reasons for the dramatic shift in Rawls' later thinking about the nature of justice and political society, Weithman also shows why this reorientation ought to engage the attention of anyone who cares about liberal ideals and the fate of democratic institutions. This book is not only an interpretive work of the first order. It also constitutes a distinctive theoretical achievement in its own right." --Charles Larmore, Brown University
"Weithman's reconstruction of Rawls's arguments is masterful, convincing and in many ways revelatory. Readers will find that the text provides compelling answers to a lot of puzzling questions about Rawls's project that have lingered for some time. Perhaps most importantly, Weithman gives the best explanation to date of exactly why Rawls felt compelled to revise his theory as he did." -- Colin Bird, Department of Politics, University of Virginia
"Weithman has written a masterful work of Rawls scholarship. This book will deepen our understanding of how and why Rawls restructured his theory, and illuminate this fascinating transition in the history of political philosophy." -- Leif Wenar, Chair of Ethics, Kings College London
"Weithman's account has much to offer and has the added benefit of drawing attention to themes in Rawls's work too often overlooked...the book makes an important case."--American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly